Rattlers

Arizona Rattlers ready to face Spokane Shock, QB Kyle Rowley

by Richard Obert - Apr. 5, 2012 05:42 PMThe Republic | azcentral.com

The Rattlers defense made strides last week in Kansas City, allowing less than 30 points. But that was against the Command, who were led by a quarterback with the worst passer rating in the Arena Football League.

The Rattlers (2-1) now face the Spokane Shock -- which may come out inspired by the return of quarterback Kyle Rowley -- on Friday night at US Airways Center.

Rowley made national news the first game of the season when he had to find his own way back to Orlando after the Pittsburgh Power owner fired him and the rest of the players during a pregame meal with the threat of a players strike looming by the Arena Football League Players Union.

Most of the players re-signed shortly before game time. Rowley didn't, and, when he returned to the apartment complex that houses the Power players, he found his belongings packed up outside his room.

The Rattlers remember Rowley more for what he did to them during a four-game stretch from 2010 to 2011. The Shock (1-2) and Rowley beat the Rattlers in their first four meetings, including 70-69 in Spokane last year when Rowely threw eight touchdown passes.

Rowley looked more vulnerable in his previous two games in Phoenix last season, struggling in relief of starter Erik Meyer, and as the starter in a 62-33 playoff loss.

Rowley, who owns several Shock passing records, signed this week with Meyer still on injured reserve and the Shock suffering their worst loss as a franchise in last week's 69-35 setback at home to the San Jose SaberCats.

"Whoever they put out there, we've got to get after him," Rattlers coach Kevin Guy said. "He played in two of those games last year, and we beat them. The guy isn't Superman. He's just a quarterback."

The Rattlers, however, don't want to get into another track meet at home. In their only other home game this season, the Rattlers needed a late touchdown pass from Nick Davila to Maurice Purify to beat the Milwaukee Mustangs 71-65 on March 17.

Davila leads the league in passing efficiency, throwing 22 touchdown passes and just one interception, completing 71.4 percent of the 105 passes he has thrown.

The reigning league MVP knows he'll have to be spot on again to beat his former team.

There aren't very many left on the Shock team since he last played there in 2009.

"We play them nine times out of 10, it's going to be a battle," Davila said. "They play hard. That's what we're expecting to see."

The Rattlers are banged up on defense with lineman Cliff Dukes, linebacker Kevin McCullough and defensive back Da'Mon Merkerson all out with injuries.

McCullough, who suffered a dislocated elbow early against Kansas City and could be out until late in the season, also did the long-snapping on extra points and field goals. Fullback Odie Armstrong likely will fill in there.

"The depth is good," Armstrong said. "We've got guys we can plug in."

Tonight's game

Spokane at Rattlers

When: 7 p.m.

Where: US Airways Center.

TV: Cox 7.

Update: The Rattlers (2-1) lost their first four meetings against the Shock but won the past two, both at home, last year. This is the teams' first meeting this year. Kyle Rowley is expected to take over at quarterback for the Shock. The Shock (1-2) are last in the league in scoring defense, giving up 66 points a game. They are giving up 302 passing yards a game.